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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God's word -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1998
Today's lessons are not necessarily connected by any particular theme, but as I read them I am moved
Now and then -- Haggai 1:15b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1998
One day, shortly after the funeral of a beloved woman, I walked through a cemetery with her widower.
Celebration -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1998
A prominent theme in today's lessons seems to be celebration of life.
Treasure in heaven -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
Today's lessons contrast the emptiness of religion with the substance of faith.
Don't mention it? -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 1998
Saying "thank you" is something we do ten, twenty, thirty times a day.
Repent and bear fruit -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 1998
All three lessons for this day challenge our perception of the good life, calling us to ask whether
Christ's glory revealed -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1998
Transfiguration Sunday concludes the Epiphany season with a focus on the one biblical story that mor
Hear and heed -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1998
Søren Kierkegaard said a long time ago now that "purity of heart is to will one thing." People who d
The Lamb as Shepherd -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1998
Although most lectionary guides (including this one) deal only with the three lessons appointed for
The triumph of humility -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1998
What exactly was Jesus doing when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey the week that Passover festivit
Seeking spiritual fulfillment -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
Spiritual questing seems to be the theme that holds together the three lessons for today.
Christ reigns -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 1998
Although the ascension is perhaps referred to in a few other writings, it is narrated only in Luke a
Faith in God -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1998
Will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?
God-centered worship -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1998
The book of Deuteronomy provides us with our first lesson for this day and that book is also quoted
Sharing in Christ's suffering -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1998
As we move to the end of this year's Lenten journey, the New Testament texts speak of Christ's suffe
Can God be trusted? -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
The central issue for this week's pericopes is the question of whether God is faithful to God's prom
What a difference the day makes -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1998
Available at most video stores is a movie called Places of the Heart.
No pretensions -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1998
The common theme in the lessons for this day is an explication of what we might call "religion of th
Filled with the Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1998
Christians did not start the day of Pentecost.
Judgment and forgiveness -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1998
The concept of "judgment" is almost universally viewed as negative today, though the term itself is
Waiters wanted -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Christmas, it would appear has arrived. At least by all the standards of the marketplace.
Remembrance -- Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1998
The emphasis for today is on meals, which are very prominent throughout the Cycle C lectionary.
The today show -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1998
Every morning as I prepare to leave the house, I have one eye keyed in on what I need to get done in
The unification of humanity -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1998
The English word "epiphany" derives from the Greek epiphaneia, which means "appearance" or "appearin
The grateful dead -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- All Saints Day - C -- 1998
(Dr. Foster R. McCurley has had a distinguished career as St.

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Humanity revels in polarization... -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
Humanity revels in polarization.
David Letterman, the host of... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
David Letterman, the host of the Late Show, suffered for decades with depression.
The real point of this story... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
The real point of this story is not the miracle of healing Jesus did, but the miracle that it transf
If you are afraid of... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2013
If you are afraid of clowns, you are coulrophobic.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2013) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
Hosea 1:2-10
Prophets seldom have a kindly... -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
Prophets seldom have a kindly word to speak to the people.
It can be shocking sometimes... -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
It can be shocking sometimes what God asks us to do.
When we encounter temptations... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
When we encounter temptations and other ideas that contradict faith, the insights of John Calvin and
The Seventh-Day Adventist... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Ron Love -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
The Seventh-Day Adventist denomination was founded upon the anticipation of the immediate return of
To "think outside the box"... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
To "think outside the box" is to be open to new ideas, free from tradition and routine and the way w
In Desmond Tutu's collection... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
In Desmond Tutu's collection of stirrings from the heart, An African Prayer Book, ther
There are a number of passages... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
There are a number of passages where Jesus is praying and his disciples can see him at prayer.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | OT 21 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 1:4-10
It can be scary... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
It can be scary to think that God knows everything about us even before we were born.
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate, describes in her book Mighty Be Our Powers how sisterhoo
It's never good when... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
It's never good when the earth moves. Earthquakes never build, they only destroy.
The text deals with... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
The text deals with the contrast between the two covenants (of the law and of the gospel).
A group of veterans... -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
A group of veterans goes to various churches around the country and asks permission to place America
There was a woman in Nepal... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
There was a woman in Nepal who couldn't walk. She had been crippled for many years.
What rejoicing words... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
What rejoicing words would the crowd utter after Jesus healed the crippled woman?
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2013) -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love, Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 2:4-13
In the text God laments... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
In the text God laments the waywardness of Israel, of our waywardness for changing our God for what
All children, they say... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
All children, they say, tend to prefer the box.
Ariel Castro was sentenced... -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Ariel Castro was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years for his abduction, enslavement, and ph
Contentment is not easily achieved... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Contentment is not easily achieved in our consumer society, where the art of advertising is to get u

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For May 19, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
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Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

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Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

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John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

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